MCFP SPRINGFIELD 2023-2024 - MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
MCFP SPRINGFIELD
2023-2024
1398
139811
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Overview of the Bureau of Prisons ............................................................................................................... 4
Psychology Services in the Bureau of Prisons .............................................................................................. 5
Psychology Services at MCFP Springfield ................................................................................................... 5
Psychology Internship at MCFP Springfield ................................................................................................ 7
Program Aim, Competencies, and Outcomes ........................................................................................... 7
Internship Duties ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Internship Rotations ................................................................................................................................ 10
Didactic and Seminar Training ............................................................................................................... 13
Research .................................................................................................................................................. 14
A Day in the Life of a MCFP Springfield Intern .................................................................................... 14
Supervision ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Intern Evaluation..................................................................................................................................... 16
Benefits ................................................................................................................................................... 17
APA Accreditation and APPIC Membership.......................................................................................... 17
Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................... 18
MCFP Springfield Psychologists ................................................................................................................ 20
Surrounding Area and Local Points of Interest ........................................................................................... 24
Career Opportunities at the Bureau of Prisons............................................................................................ 25
How to Apply.............................................................................................................................................. 26
Eligibility Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 26
Application Process and Deadlines ......................................................................................................... 27
Additional Information ........................................................................................................................... 29
Contact Information .................................................................................................................................... 30
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 31
Internship Admissions, Support, and Initial Placement Data ................................................................. 31
Sample Didactic Schedule ...................................................................................................................... 35
References ............................................................................................................................................... 36
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Introduction
The Psychology Services Department at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners
(MCFP) Springfield is delighted you are considering your doctoral internship with us. We hope
this brochure will serve to answer some basic questions about our internship program, as well as
dispel some of the more common stereotypes about working with a prison population.
This brochure will provide you with information about both the Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
in general, and MCFP Springfield specifically. The brochure begins with an overview of the
BOP as well as the roles of Psychology and the Psychology Internship Program within the BOP.
The second part of this brochure provides a detailed discussion of the Psychology
Internship Program at MCFP Springfield. Included is information about the population, intern
duties, research opportunities, didactic training, supervision, and benefits. We’ve also included
information about our Psychology staff and the local area to help you get to know us better.
The brochure concludes with a discussion of career opportunities within the BOP as well
as the instructions for applying to our internship program. We encourage you to look at our
Doctoral Intern and Staff Psychologist web pages to learn more about the opportunities that exist
at the BOP.
For interns, the selection and location of the Doctoral Internship are two of the largest
factors in determining subsequent career direction. We encourage you to consider the material
you read in this brochure carefully. We believe our training program is of the highest quality and
will both challenge and support you as you develop into a confident and knowledgeable mental
health professional. We currently have four intern positions available at our site and look
forward to receiving your application.
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Overview of the Bureau of Prisons
Over the last 90 years, the BOP has
established 122 institutions and currently houses
approximately 153,000 incarcerated individuals.
With the core values of Respect, Integrity,
Courage, and Correctional Excellence, the BOP
has earned the reputation as one of the most elite
correctional agencies in the world.
Incarcerated individuals convicted of the
most serious offenses and those whose
institutional adjustment is poor are housed in
high security settings, or penitentiaries. Most
incarcerated individuals live in medium, low, or
BOP Central Office in Washington, DC
minimum security institutions that provide
greater degrees of personal freedom. All facilities have in-house support services, including
Education, Medical and Psychology Services Departments. However, the BOP maintains a
series of “medical referral centers” to provide for prisoners whose needs cannot be adequately
addressed in general population settings. The U.S. Medical Center is a medical referral center.
Although all incarcerated individuals are convicted of federal crimes and separated from
the community, they each have their own needs and abilities. Many have serious mental health
and behavioral disorders and require assistance to maintain psychological stability necessary to
function adequately in their environment. Therefore, psychology services play an integral role in
mental health treatment of the federal population.
The BOP provides ample resources toward reentry programming to assist those who are
motivated to change maladaptive thought and behavior patterns. Through the myriad of
programs developed to address criminogenic needs, the federal recidivism rate has declined to
only 34%, half the rate of many large State Departments of Corrections. These reentry programs
include academic and vocational programs, chaplaincy programs, and a wide range of
psychological services.
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Psychology Services in the Bureau of Prisons
With a team of over 35,000 employees, including more than 600 psychologists and
another 600+ clinical service providers and psychology administrative support staff, the BOP is
one of the largest employers of mental health professionals in the United States. In addition to
psychology technicians and mid-level provider “Treatment Specialists,” Psychology Services in
the BOP employs doctoral-level clinical and counseling psychologists. Psychologists are
required to be licensed or license-eligible, and are encouraged to seek further credentialing (e.g.,
American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), American Psychological Association
(APA) Division Fellowship). Maintaining professional competencies is a priority and annual
continuing education is provided to every BOP psychologist.
The primary mission of Psychology Services within the BOP is to provide psychological,
psychoeducational, and consulting services to incarcerated individuals and staff. Psychology
Services staff assess the needs of each person in custody and ensures all incarcerated individuals
with mental health needs have access to the level of psychological care comparable to that
available in the community. The focus of treatment varies from crisis-based interventions to the
modification of deeply entrenched maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaving. Incarcerated
individuals within the BOP may present with a range of diagnoses, to include psychotic
disorders, personality disorders, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and/or cognitive
impairment. Psychologists in the BOP engage in a wide variety of clinical activities including
psychodiagnostic assessment and treatment planning, individual therapy, group therapy, suicide
prevention, and self-help and supportive services. In addition, Psychology Services staff
collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and provide consultation to medical, custody, and unit
team staff to provide comprehensive treatment and reentry resources to incarcerated individuals
in our care.
Psychology Services at MCFP Springfield
Authorized by an act of Congress, the MCFP opened its doors in 1933 (as the “United
States Hospital for Defective Delinquents”) to provide medical, surgical, and mental health
services for male offenders within the custody of the BOP. The MCFP was the first federal
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
prison given responsibility for providing such services. The MCFP is accredited by the Joint
Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in the areas of
behavioral health, long-term care, and ambulatory care, and by the American Correctional
Association.
As noted previously, institutions within the BOP provide varying degrees of security
from the least secure camps to the most secure penitentiaries. The MCFP is designed to provide
services to patients from all security levels (minimum to high). Incarcerated individuals in need
of medical or mental health services are transferred to the MCFP from federal institutions
throughout the country. Many patients are also transferred to the MCFP pursuant to court orders
from federal jurisdictions nationwide. The MCFP has an incarcerated population of
approximately 1,000. Approximately 400 individuals are medical or surgical patients, and about
200 are assigned to Mental Health Services. The remaining 400 constitute a low-security “work
cadre” that assists in maintaining the facility. Incarcerated individuals are involved with
educational and vocational training, recreation facilities, and religious services.
The MCFP has one of the largest staff and budgets of any facility within the Federal
Prison System. The two largest departments, Correctional Services and Nursing, employ
approximately 230 and 110 staff members, respectively. There are numerous physicians on the
medical staff representing an assortment of medical specialties. The MCFP is located in
Springfield, Missouri, a city of approximately 170,000. Springfield, the third-largest city in
Missouri, is located 170 miles south of Kansas City and 215 miles southwest of St. Louis.
Psychology Services is staffed by 12 doctoral-level psychologists who obtained degrees
in clinical or counseling psychology. Ten psychologists are licensed. One psychologist is board
certified in forensic psychology, and one psychologist is board certified in group psychotherapy
by the American Board of Professional Psychology. All licensed psychologists actively
participate in the supervision of interns. Clerical support is provided by one Psychology
Services Department secretary, augmented by numerous secretaries assigned to other
departments. The internship program is dedicated to attracting, supporting, and retaining diverse
interns and supervisors.
Psychology Services is equipped with the traditional assessment tools of psychology.
Psychologists and interns all have private offices with computers. A common computer is used
to score a variety of psychological tests. Psychologists use a number of professional journals and
have access to computerized literature searches and through the BOP’s library in Central Office.
Many articles can be downloaded in full text from the BOP library website; those not available in
full text can be quickly provided by library staff.
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
The Psychology staff members are located in offices near the housing areas where their
patients reside. Under the administrative direction of the Chief of Psychology, nine
psychologists work in the Mental Health Service. Those staff members conduct evaluations of
patients referred from other BOP facilities and federal courts, and they provide treatment in a
hospital setting. There are also three Treatment Specialists that facilitate groups and
programming for a newly formed Step-Down unit within Mental Health Services. One
Psychologist provides services to our “Work Cadre” of low security individuals who were not
referred for mental health or medical care as well as coordination of the Medication Assisted
Treatment program. One Psychologist provides services on the Medical/Surgical Unit.
Additionally, the Psychology Services Department includes one Psychologist who coordinates
the Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program (RDAP), and three Treatment Specialists who
work in the drug abuse treatment program. In accordance with the by-laws of the medical staff,
licensed psychologists are members of the medical staff and have privileges to admit and
discharge patients from the Mental Health Treatment Service.
2020 North Central Region Intern Familiarization Training
Psychology Internship at MCFP Springfield
Program Aim, Competencies, and Outcomes
The aim of the Doctoral Psychology Internship Program at MCFP Springfield is to train
entry-level professional psychologists who can also function competently in the correctional
environment. This is achieved by using the following competencies as benchmarks for our
training of interns:
Competency 1: Research – The intern will demonstrate proficiency in
understanding and applying scientific research to the practice of psychology
generally, and the professional practice of psychology in corrections
specifically.
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Competency 2: Ethical and Legal Standards – The intern will demonstrate
proficiency practicing psychology within the boundaries of the ethical and
legal principles governing professional behavior. The intern will also
demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and development generally,
and within the correctional environment specifically.
Competency 3: Individual and Cultural Diversity – The intern will
demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to cultural factors impacting clinical
services with diverse individuals, groups, and communities who represent
various cultural and personal backgrounds and characteristics.
Competency 4: Professional Values and Attitudes – The intern will
demonstrate proficiency in providing psychological services that are
consistent with professional values, beliefs, and practices within the field
generally, and within the correctional environment specifically.
Competency 5: Communication and Interpersonal Skills – The intern will
demonstrate proficiency in both written and verbal communication with peers,
supervisors, and other staff that is timely, accurate, and jargon free.
Competency 6: Assessment – The intern will demonstrate proficiency in
conducting screening, assessment, and diagnosis for a wide range of disorders
and problems, using a multimodal approach, specific to the needs of the
situation for individuals, groups, and/or organizations.
Competency 7: Intervention – The intern will demonstrate proficiency in
planning and implementing a variety of evidence-based practices, including
empirically supported treatments, to address mental health needs among
individuals, groups, and organizations.
Competency 8: Supervision – The intern will demonstrate proficiency in
understanding basic principles of clinical supervision (e.g., building
supervisory alliance, providing and accepting effective summative feedback,
promoting growth and self-assessment of peer/trainee, seeking consultation)
and apply these principles as peer supervisors during group supervision and/or
with doctoral practicum students, if available.
Competency 9: Consultation & Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills –
The intern will demonstrate proficiency in fostering and coordinating
relationships with various disciplines in the correctional environment (e.g.,
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
management, correctional services, unit management and health services) by
providing written and verbal communication, and professional assistance
responses to client or system needs and aims.
Through the combination of individual and group supervision, experiential learning
elements (e.g., direct provision of mental health services), and educational activities (e.g.,
didactic presentations, assigned readings), interns will gain knowledge and skills in the above-
listed domains within a correctional environment. Exposure to a correctional facility and an
incarcerated population will contribute to interns being well trained for continued work within a
prison setting. Perhaps the best indicator of this effort lies in the fact that, historically, about
50% of our interns are hired as Staff Psychologists within the BOP shortly after graduation.
However, training is purposely tailored to be sufficiently broad so that interns are well suited for
work in a wide variety of clinical settings.
The internship program is structured to ensure interns receive training in all aspects of the
Psychology Services Department. Interns bring considerable knowledge of psychological theory
and science-based practice gained in academic and practicum settings. During internship, interns
are further exposed to the scientific basis of psychological practice via didactic seminars,
assigned readings and supervision of clinical work. In addition, the internship program provides
abundant exposure to the application of critical/scientific thinking in the understanding and
treatment of individual cases through clinical training experiences and clinical supervision.
The training philosophy of the internship program emphasizes experiential learning and
considers both the tremendous opportunities available within our setting and the inherent
challenges of working in a prison environment. Interns will learn by providing a variety of
psychological services to incarcerated individuals throughout the training year and by
collaborating with staff in other disciplines. To facilitate professional independence and
confidence, training experiences proceed in a sequential, cumulative, and graded manner. For
example, at the beginning of the year, interns may initially observe supervisory staff conduct
rounds, perform intake interviews, and engage in crisis intervention. Interns subsequently
perform these functions in the presence of supervisory staff and as interns feel more comfortable
and display increased competence, they perform these tasks independently.
Through the internship training program, interns will develop a satisfying professional
identity based on self-awareness and confidence in generalist assessment, intervention, and
consultation skills, as well as exposure to specialty areas of professional practice in the field of
corrections. Interns are challenged to participate actively in individual and group supervision,
staff meetings, and didactic seminars.
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MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Internship Duties
Interns are required to complete 2,000 hours of training over a 12-month period, along
with identified clinical experiences and adequate ratings on intern evaluations, to successfully
complete the internship program. Training experiences include clinical contacts, supervision,
didactics, and other professional activities. Interns at MCFP Springfield, like all BOP
employees, are considered essential workers and are expected to report to the institution Monday
through Friday (excluding federal holidays), even during the COVID-19 pandemic and other
potential emergency situations. The internship year begins in August and ends the following
August, and normal working hours for interns are considered 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note
all interns will receive generalist training working as a psychologist-in-training within a
correctional environment. The internship is considered a full-time position. It assures 40 hours
of services and supervision per week. Administration have permitted the use of sick or annual
leave for attending professional conferences or defending a dissertation, rather than any
administrative time off. A basic description of additional training experiences will follow.
Internship Rotations
An objective of the internship is to provide each intern with training experiences under
the supervision of experienced psychologists in a variety of patient care settings. To attain this
objective, each intern has a sequence of rotations at the MCFP, in addition to ongoing didactic
activities. All interns at the MCFP complete all rotations; there is no competing for desired
opportunities. Interns complete three, four-month major rotations. Two rotations, which focus
on forensic evaluation and treatment of serious mental illness, are offered on the Mental Health
Services. The third rotation is offered on the Medical/Surgical Unit.
Interns also complete three, four-month minor rotations. These experiences are in
Substance Use Treatment, “Work Cadre” or General Population unit, and with group treatment
on the Forensic Evaluation Unit (Competency Restoration Groups). These rotations require
eight to ten hours per week concurrent with the major rotations.
Serious Mental Illness Treatment
The interns on this major, four-month rotation provide psychological services to male
patients troubled by a broad spectrum of psychological difficulties. Most of the patients engaged
in inpatient treatment have serious and chronic mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusional beliefs, or severe
disorganization of thought and behavior. Individuals with mood disorders may pose a high risk
for self-injurious or suicidal behavior. An organic component is sometimes present in these
patients. Many patients also have an underlying character disorder, which frequently
complicates treatment.
10MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Interns are members of an interdisciplinary team. Each team is represented by an array of
disciplines including psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, case management, and
corrections. The team meets routinely, and team members work together to provide optimum
care for their assigned patients. In this context, the intern is expected to grow as a contributing
team member as their confidence develops. Under the guidance of a supervising psychologist,
each intern will be involved in the patient care process from admission to discharge.
Interns complete assessments of assigned patients and participate in the formulation of
patient treatment plans. Interns have the opportunity to perform diagnostic interviews and
conduct psychological testing for those inmates who are transferred to MCFP for stabilization
and treatment. Interns provide individual therapy and facilitate group therapy sessions with their
supervisors. Depending on an intern’s skill and comfort level, he or she may lead a group
independently. Guidance and instruction are provided on hospital documentation procedures,
including the BOP’s electronic medical record. Interns become acquainted with the treatment
regulations of the JCAHO and the BOP. The intern is exposed to ongoing quality improvement
programs. This rotation also allows the intern to observe the effects of psychiatric medication.
Collegial dialogues with unit psychiatrists further each intern’s understanding of
psychopharmacology. The intern will also develop skills in crisis intervention and in assessment
of risk for violence.
The major treatment rotation generally offers the opportunity to be involved in risk
assessments for civilly committed patients or patients nearing the end of a prison sentence. The
purpose of these assessments is to determine whether patients are dangerous due to a mental
illness, and whether they meet the criteria for civil commitment.
Forensic Evaluation
On this major, four-month rotation, the intern will complete evaluations of pretrial
defendants referred to the MCFP from federal jurisdictions across the country. Most referrals
request opinions on the issues of competency to stand trial or criminal responsibility, or both.
The intern will gain experience in the process of completing such psychological evaluations and
applying the various federal legal standards to the referral issues. Great emphasis is placed on
the preparation of written reports that are thorough, yet relevant and understandable when read
by judges and attorneys. The intern may have an opportunity to accompany staff members to
court hearings and/or trials to observe the drama (or sometimes, the tedium) of the adversarial
process. Because interns complete evaluations of forensic patients with their supervisors, they
may also be subject to being subpoenaed to provide testimony in federal court. Most years, one
or two interns testify in federal court; however, there is no guarantee that an intern will testify.
Additionally, interns on this rotation gain experience in evaluating sentenced individuals
transferred from other prison facilities to determine whether inpatient treatment is needed. The
11MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
intern is involved in the process of assessing whether involuntary civil commitment should be
pursued for individuals who are opposed to hospitalization. In this process, the intern will learn
relevant federal civil commitment laws and observe court proceedings regarding commitment,
which may include testimony about patient treatment needs and justifications for involuntary
treatment and commitment. Interns enhance their clinical skills in the provision of psychological
testing administration, scoring, and interpretation by running a weekly testing clinic.
Medical/Surgical Unit
On this major, four-month rotation, interns will spend their time working on the
Medical/Surgical Unit. Each intern is exposed to the psychological services provided to
incarcerated individuals receiving medical care. Interns on this rotation will work in the medical
hospital, consulting with medical and unit staff regarding treatment. They will develop skills in
consulting with physicians on the mental health issues related to a wide variety of physical
diagnoses. They will have an opportunity to lead or co-lead special needs groups, such as
medical support groups for dialysis and immune-compromised patients or trauma-informed
treatment groups. Interns will participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with professionals
from medical specialties. Additionally, interns will provide brief interventions for patients in a
clinic setting, although some of those cases become long-term therapy cases. Interns will have
an opportunity to work with a variety of behavioral medicine issues, which may include pain
management, stress reduction, AIDS and HIV status counseling, and dialysis. The rotation
includes periodic opportunity for developing skill in organ transplant evaluations and evaluation
of patient readiness for treatment for Hepatitis C. Interns participate in brief assessments for a
wide range of presenting problems, including dementia, traumatic brain injuries, and other types
of neuropathology encountered in a hospital setting.
Substance Use Treatment
Interns complete a minor, four-month rotation in this program, spending eight to ten
hours a week participating in the delivery of substance abuse treatment and monitoring patient
progress. In late 2007, the MCFP launched a Residential Drug Abuse Treatment Program
(RDAP) for medical patients. RDAP is a standardized drug treatment program offered at over 70
federal prisons. A total of over 6,000 incarcerated individuals are participating at any given
time. Those enrolled in the program participate in 500 hours of treatment over a nine-month
period using a modified therapeutic community approach. Interns will also become familiar with
other aspects of the BOP’s substance use treatment initiative including motivational
interviewing, non-residential treatment services, and the eligibility interview process.
In 2020, the MCFP began a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. MAT is an
integrative program to address the unique needs of incarcerated individuals with opioid use
disorders. MAT includes collaboration with professionals from medical specialties and
12MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
providing counseling and behavioral therapy. Skills acquired in this rotation are easily
transferable to any BOP facility.
Forensic Evaluation - Competency Restoration Groups
On this minor, four-month rotation, also on Mental Health Evaluation unit, interns will
facilitate competency restoration groups. Competency restoration groups are for individuals that
are adjudicated incompetent to stand trial. The competency restoration services at the MCFP are
one of the leading providers of these services for the federal government. Competency
restoration is primarily provided in group format, psychoeducational groups on general legal
proceedings and concepts. Competency restoration services may also be adapted to be provided
on an individual basis. Due to the diversity of the patient population, opportunities to collaborate
with translators occurs frequently. Each intern works eight to ten hours per week in this area.
General Population - Work Cadre Unit
On this minor, four-month rotation, each intern works with low security incarcerated
individuals who are assigned to the Work Cadre Unit. A portion of these individuals have
pressing medical issues; their mental health needs and concerns are similar to other low security
inmates in other federal institutions and range from adjustment reactions to substance use to
schizophrenia. In many ways, this part of the internship resembles an outpatient clinic. General
areas in which all interns will become familiar include intake screenings, brief therapy,
segregation reviews, and the BOP’s medical records and case management databases. An area of
emphasis includes providing group treatment services under the First Step Act. Interns will have
the opportunity to co-facilitate or lead groups addressing specific areas, such as criminal
thinking, anger management, cognitive skills, and trauma. Specific areas where interns may
elect to focus their training may include, but are not limited to, individual and group therapy;
development, implementation and evaluation of inmate programs; individual assessment; and
presentations in established programs such as the Parenting Program or Release Preparation
Program. Time invested in the Work Cadre Unit will enable the intern to become familiar with
the workings of a typical prison and the role of Psychology Services in the federal prison system.
Didactic and Seminar Training
During the internship year, each intern will attend a sequence of seminars. At the
beginning of the internship year, each intern completes a ten-day orientation course to the BOP
and the MCFP. Next, they complete a four-day department orientation. Weekly general didactic
seminars are held throughout the internship year. Such seminars are typically one hour long and
are taught primarily by psychologists and psychiatrists on staff. Some weeks, interns prepare for
seminars by completing assigned readings and creating presentations. Throughout the training
year, interns participate in regional and national training activities through video conferences. A
list of recent didactic topics is presented in the Appendix.
13MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
A second seminar series focuses on
forensic psychology issues. That seminar
combines didactic learning experiences with
interactive discussions of landmark decisions in
mental health case law. Interns participate in
discussions of relevant case law associated with
forensic issues and mental health treatment
issues. In the forensic seminar, interns prepare
legal briefs of significant mental health law cases.
At the end of the year, each intern then has a
collection of briefs on many of the most
U.S. Supreme Court
significant cases in mental health law. This
seminar requires considerable reading.
Research
The MCFP employs a scientist/practitioner model of training, and the staff value research
by psychologists. Interns are urged to complete their dissertations during the internship year.
Psychology Interns lacking dissertation topics may receive guidance from the Psychology staff
(although most interns who match with MCFP have a dissertation well underway prior to the
beginning of internship). However, interns will not be provided time during each work week to
work on their dissertations. While there is not time built into the internship for interns to work
on their dissertation projects at the MCFP, interns are encouraged to collaborate with
psychologists in conducting other research projects if time allows. Past research studies have
investigated various aspects of psychological assessment, malingering, issues of diversity, and
internship training in a correctional setting. The allocation of time for this purpose is decided on
a case-by-case basis by the intern’s major and minor supervisors and the Internship Program
Coordinator.
A Day in the Life of a MCFP Springfield Intern
Every day at the BOP is new and exciting and will vary depending on the needs of the
facility, Psychology Services Department, and incarcerated population. Exposure to constant
stimulation is key in the development and engagement of our interns. Recognizing that there is
no “typical day” at the BOP, below is a sample of what a day could look like for one of our
interns. There is a great amount of flexibility and autonomy for interns to schedule clinical tasks.
Many of the training activities, such as seminars, didactics, and group supervision, are at set days
and times each week. It is important to note that no two days look exactly alike due to the nature
of the clinical work in the hospital-correctional setting. Below are sample schedules as a
“snapshot” from one day on each of the major rotations. Please note that there is flexibility in
scheduling to address crises as they emerge.
14MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Time Activities on Forensic Evaluation (Tues)
7:30 am Arrive to work and catch up on emails
8:00am Interdisciplinary morning meeting
8:30am Competency restoration groups
10:00am Didactic
11:00am Lunch
11:30am Competency interview
1:00pm Individual supervision
2:00pm Testing clinic
3:00pm Administrative notes
4:00pm Leave work with fellow interns
Time Activities on Serious Mental Illness (Wed)
7:30 am Arrive to work and catch up on emails
8:00am Interdisciplinary morning meeting
8:30am Risk assessment panel
9:00am Clinical rounds
10:00am Group supervision
11:00am Lunch
1:00pm Individual therapy session
2:00pm RDAP journal group
3:00pm Individual supervision
4:00pm Leave work with fellow interns
Time Activities on Medical/Surgical (Thu)
7:30 am Arrive to work and catch up on emails
8:00am Interdisciplinary meeting (IDT) in medical clinic
8:30am IDT rounds
10:00am Individual Supervision
11:00am Lunch
11:30am Clinical intakes
12:00pm Individual therapy session
1:00pm Forensic Seminar
2:30pm Administrative notes
4:00pm Leave work with fellow interns
15MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Supervision
MCFP Springfield adheres to APA guidelines for supervision. These include a minimum
of two hours of group supervision each week and two hours of individual supervision by a
licensed psychologist. Individual supervision is tailored to the needs of each person and can
include review of written notes and reports, discussion of therapy cases, review of taped
sessions, and live supervision of sessions. Professional development and clinical service
provision are emphasized. In addition to the regularly scheduled weekly supervision mentioned
above, licensed psychologists are readily available for consultation and supervision as necessary.
At the beginning of the training year, rotation supervisors and interns discuss personal goals
interns may have related to their professional development. Every effort is made to provide
learning experiences and relevant supervision to help interns achieve their desired goals and
improve upon targeted competency areas.
The Internship Program Coordinator serves as a resource for interns and is responsible
for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the internship program. They make
training assignments, handle clinical and administrative problems, plan the sequence of formal
training experiences, prevent duplication of experiences, and maintain close contact with other
supervisors.
Our training program approaches diversity from a cultural humility perspective, which
encourages clinicians to work with diverse clients while maintaining an attitude of openness,
acknowledging and owning one’s limitations to understanding a client’s cultural background and
experience, and emphasizing continued growth and development over time rather than obtaining
a level of multicultural competence. Given the diverse population, conversations about diversity
and culture are inter-woven into our daily practice, weekly supervision with interns, and didactic
learning. Interns and staff will engage in mutual self-reflection and will be expected to actively
participate in this process throughout self-disclosure of personal identities, biases, and reactions.
Intern Evaluation
Evaluation of interns is a continuous, systematic process. Interns receive frequent
informal feedback during individual and group supervision sessions. A formal evaluation is
completed at the mid-point of the rotation in order to communicate progress on the rotation and
identify goals and continued areas of growth. At the conclusion of each rotation, a formal
evaluation is completed, and the intern may meet with all the staff members involved in his or
her training to discuss progress and future goals. Narrative evaluations are also provided to the
training director of each intern’s doctoral program following each major rotation.
Interns provide evaluations of their internship experiences in a variety of ways. Interns
are always encouraged to provide informal feedback to the Internship Program Coordinator,
Chief of Psychology, Training Committee, and intern supervisors. Formally, the interns
16MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
complete evaluations of their supervisors after each rotation. The interns are asked to complete
quarterly evaluations of their overall internship experience. In addition, interns complete
didactic rating forms to evaluate the trainings provided to them.
Benefits
Interns will receive the following benefits:
• A GS-09, Step 1 salary of approximately $55,419 (as of 2022)
• Paid annual and sick leave, accrued at four hours per pay period
• Paid federal holidays
• Health insurance
• For interns who require maternity or paternity leave, they will be expected to first use
all accrued hours of annual and sick leave. For additional time off that is not covered
by accrued leave, the intern would need to submit a request for leave without pay to
the Warden. In the event of maternity or paternity leave, the Internship Program
Coordinator will work closely with the intern to ensure all requirements for internship
and clinical training hours are completed in a timely manner.
• Liability coverage for on-site professional activities
APA Accreditation and APPIC Membership
The MCFP Springfield Psychology Internship Program received accreditation by the
APA since May 23, 1989, and meets all APA criteria for doctoral internships in professional
psychology. MCFP Springfield is also a member Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and
Internship Centers (APPIC).
Any questions or concerns regarding the accreditation status of the MCFP Springfield
should be addressed to:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-5979 | Email: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Any questions or concerns regarding the adherence of this program to the policies of the
APPIC match process may be referred to:
Chair, APPIC Standards and Review Committee
17225 El Camino Real
Onyx One-Suite #170
Houston, TX 77058-2748
Phone: (832) 284-4080 | Email: appic@appic.org
17MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Won't my training be too limited if I just work with incarcerated
individuals?
A: Virtually any mental health issue that exists among the general population of
adults in our culture also exists among incarcerated individuals. There are many
parallels that can be drawn between the presenting problems and client
characteristics of prisons and community mental health centers. For example, there
are those who use mental health services appropriately and those that may be
otherwise motivated, clients in crisis and those with less acute but more long-term
concerns, and some with greater psychological resources than others. The
benchmark study by Boothby and Clements (2000) notes that psychologists working
in correctional settings frequently treat pathology (e.g., depression, anger, psychosis,
anxiety) that is nearly identical to non-correctional settings. Although some
incarcerated individuals fit the popular stereotype of the criminal or repeat offender,
others genuinely want to change the maladaptive behavior and thought patterns that
led them to prison. Others experience serious mental illness, including
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Q: How "marketable" will my internship be?
A: Following APA guidelines for the doctoral internship experience, we seek interns
who are interested in being trained as generalists. Upon completion of training, many
interns accept offers of employment with the Bureau of Prisons. However, others
assume positions in community mental health centers, private practices, hospitals, and
other settings (Magaletta, Patry, & Norcross, 2012). Interns who work in correctional
settings are regularly provided opportunities to strengthen skills in the areas of crisis
intervention, individual and group psychotherapy, substance treatment, psychological
evaluation, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intake screenings (Magaletta &
Boothby, 2003). On the basis of this exposure, former BOP Psychology Interns now
hold positions not only in BOP facilities, but also VA Medical Centers, rehabilitation
centers, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, regional correctional
facilities, academic positions, and private practices.
Q: Is it safe to work in a prison?
A: The safety of both staff and incarcerated individuals is the highest priority of the
BOP. The BOP has implemented many security procedures and installed an array of
equipment to make the facilities safe for staff and incarcerated individuals alike. In
this and many other respects, we consider ourselves second to no other prison system
in the world. Although it would be impossible to unconditionally guarantee anyone's
safety in a correctional (or any other work) setting, staff and interns who conduct
themselves professionally have little reason to fear for their safety. Perhaps the single
18MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
most important skill of any mental health professional working in a correctional
setting is his/her ability to listen and communicate effectively with both staff and
incarcerated individuals (Magaletta & Boothby, 2003).
Q: Do I need a certain number of clinical hours in a correctional facility to be
eligible for an internship with the BOP?
A: No. There is no specified number of direct client contact hours needed to apply.
Historically, our interns have had a wide range of experiences in both non-
correctional and correctional settings. There are numerous settings that provide
training that is relevant to a correctional setting: inpatient hospitals, locked settings,
exposure to serious mental illness, substance use treatment facilities, etc.
Q: What do I need to do to complete internship?
A: There are three aspects of training that all interns must attain to successfully
complete internship. First, interns are evaluated in each of the nine profession-wide
competencies (Research, Ethical/Legal Standards, etc.) via a formal evaluation form
at the end of every quarter. Interns must achieve a minimum level of achievement
score for all nine competencies on the final fourth quarter evaluation. Second, at the
beginning of each rotation, the intern and the supervisor agree on a set of training
activities that coincide with the nine profession-wide competencies that must be
achieved in order to complete that specific rotation. Finally, interns are required to
complete 2,000 hours of clinical training and will submit one formal psychological
assessment during internship that is an adequate reflection of their clinical abilities.
19MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
MCFP Springfield Psychologists
Elizabeth (Libby) Tyner, Ph.D., ABPP (Forensic)
Chief of Psychology
Mental Health Evaluation Unit
West Virginia University, 2008
Interests: Clinical supervision, internship and staff training,
forensic psychology, ethical and legal issues, evidence-based
practice, and research.
Brandianne (Brandi) Cook, Psy.D., HSPP
Internship Program Coordinator
Mental Health Treatment Unit
Adler University, 2016
Interests: Clinical supervision, internship and staff training,
serious and persistent mental illness, evidence-based practice,
and diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives.
Vincen Barnes, Psy.D.
Medical/Surgical Unit
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 2001
Interests: Individual and group psychotherapy, and
posttraumatic stress disorder.
20MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Victoria DiSciullo, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist
West Virginia University, 2021
Interests: Culturally-responsive practice, evidence based
practice, CBT, and serious mental illness.
Jason Engel, Psy.D
Medication Assisted Treatment Coordinator
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, 2001
Interests: Individual and group psychotherapy, substance use
treatment, and internship training.
Sarah L. Hampton, Ph.D.
Mental Health Evaluation Unit
Forensic Psychologist
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 2016
Interests: Individual and group psychotherapy, sex offender
assessment and treatment, forensic issues, psychopathy, ethical
and legal issues, and research.
21MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Ryan Harr Kulynych, Psy.D., HSPP
Step-Down Coordinator
Mental Health Treatment Unit
Indiana State University, 2020
Interests: Evidence-based individual and group therapy, crisis
intervention, personality disorders, and serious mental illness.
Amanda Reed, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Forensic Psychologist
Mental Health Evaluation Unit
John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY, 2021
Interests: Forensic evaluation, psychological assessment,
research, and empirically-based treatment.
Cassandra Simmons, Psy.D., LASOP
Residential Drug Abuse Program Coordinator
Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2018
Interests: Sex offender treatment and assessment, juvenile
offender treatment and assessment, individual and group
psychotherapy, child custody/parent capacity issues,
psychopathology, serious mental illness, multiculturalism, racial
trauma, and trauma informed care.
22MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Lauren Vera, Ph.D.
Advanced Care Level Psychologist
Mental Health Treatment Unit
Sam Houston State University, 2017
Interests: Cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior
therapy, group psychotherapy, serious mental illness,
assessment of risk, and clinical supervision.
Elizabeth Weiner, Ph.D., ABPP (Group)
Advanced Care Level Psychologist
Mental Health Treatment Unit
University of Toledo, 1997
Interests: Empirically based individual and group therapy,
intervention with self-injurious and suicidal patients, dialectical
behavior therapy, clinical supervision, psychopathy, intellectual
disability, and mental health programming in restrictive
housing.
Emma Welch, Ph.D.
Forensic Psychologist
Mental Health Evaluation Unit
Texas Tech University, 2020
Interests: Forensic psychology, psychological assessment,
serious mental illness, and evidence-based treatment.
23MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Surrounding Area and Local Points of Interest
Springfield, “The Queen City of the Ozarks,” has one of the lowest overall cost-of-living
communities in the nation. The city has a broad economic and industrial base. Since Springfield
adjoins major recreational and vacation attractions to the south, tourism services are extensive.
The community has five colleges and a major university (Missouri State University, with a
current enrollment of approximately 26,000 students). Springfield, the third-largest city in
Missouri, has shown consistent economic growth. It provides many of the conveniences of much
larger cities, without the common aggravations associated with living in metropolitan areas. The
area is known for the large variety of local restaurants that will suit just about any palate. The
city truly provides opportunities for a comfortable lifestyle.
A variety of recreational opportunities exist for enthusiasts of outdoor activities such as
canoeing, fishing, and hiking. Several lakes are within easy driving distance of the city. The
community offers plentiful shopping. In 2005, the city became home to the Springfield
Cardinals, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club. The area also
provides cultural attractions such as the Springfield Symphony, Springfield Regional Opera,
Springfield Little Theater, and Springfield Ballet. Performing arts venues attract national tours
of musical acts and Broadway shows. For the history buff, there is a National Civil War
Battlefield just outside the city. Numerous other activities are available in St. Louis, Kansas
City, and Tulsa, larger cities within easy driving distance.
Springfield Cardinals Bennett Spring Wilson’s Creek Juanita K. Hammons
State Park National Battlefield Hall for the Performing
Arts, Missouri State
University
24MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
Career Opportunities at the Bureau of Prisons
The BOP has relied on the Psychology Doctoral Internship Program to recruit a large
proportion of entry-level clinical and counseling psychologists to meet our staffing needs. Many
of the psychologists currently employed by the BOP began their careers after completing a BOP
internship. While jobs are not promised to those who are accepted into the internship program,
there are benefits in hiring people who have already proven themselves to be competent
practitioners in correctional environments. Therefore, we often look to our intern classes when
making employment offers. Please refer to the Appendix for initial post-internship placements
of the previous three MCFP Springfield intern classes.
Newly selected staff generally start at the GS-11 level, and upon successful completion of
their first year, psychologists are automatically upgraded to the GS-12 level (current salary
ranges can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website). S alaries are
somewhat higher in geographical areas with higher costs of living. Further upgrades to the GS-
13 and GS-14 levels are possible with increases in clinical and administrative responsibilities.
Student loan repayment opportunities are available at most facilities.
Psychologists enjoy a great deal of professional autonomy in the BOP as the main
providers of mental health services and there are numerous opportunities to advance your career.
The BOP values continuing education of psychologists. Many psychologists attend seminars,
workshops, and/or national conventions. Funding for outside training may be available and
varies from year to year based on the federal budget. Psychologists have the opportunity to
choose the part of the country (given the availability of positions) and the type of facility (high,
medium, low or minimum security) in which they wish to work. BOP psychologists may also
engage in outside employment, such as private practice or teaching.
As permanent federal employees, all psychologists are covered by the Federal Employee
Retirement System, a pension plan that includes several attractive options for tax-deferred
savings similar to a 401(k) plan. BOP employees may retire after 20 years, provided they have
reached the age of 50, and receive a full pension. The BOP is an equal opportunity employer.
25MCFP Springfield Psychology Doctoral Internship
How to Apply
The application for all BOP psychology internships is a three-step process, and you can
reference this helpful one-page guide of the process and the associated timeline on the BOP
Internship web page.
Eligibility Requirements
The Psychology Internship Program at MCFP Springfield is open to doctoral students
enrolled in APA-accredited clinical and counseling psychology degree programs. Applicants
must have completed three years of doctoral training and have successfully proposed their
dissertation.
Intern selection is based largely on breadth and quality of clinical experience,
demonstrated academic achievement and consistency of interests with the training goals of the
program, personal integrity, and maturity. Selections and the offer of positions at each site are
made in strict accordance with the policies of APPIC’s Internship Matching Program. MCFP
Springfield agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at these training facilities will
solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.
Applicants for the BOP's internship positions should be aware they are applying for a
position in a federal law enforcement agency. Therefore, selection entails not only
demonstration of exceptional qualifications as an advanced graduate student and psychologist in
training, but also suitability for work in a position of public trust. BOP employees, including
Psychology Interns, are held to a high standard of personal conduct and responsibility, and are
expected to be law-abiding citizens who can serve as strong role models for the incarcerated
population. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens who have lived in the U.S. for the past three
out of five years.
Applicants should understand that the BOP is also bound by the specifications of the
Pathways Program. The Pathways Program is designed to provide students with the opportunity
to explore federal careers while still in school. While the Pathways Program is a specific process
for verifying eligibility for the Doctoral Intern position, the application process is totally separate
from the APPIC process and procedures. Accordingly, applicants must submit an application
through the USAJobs website to verify eligibility for temporary federal employment (internship).
You will receive additional information on the USAJobs application process after your APPIC
Application for Psychology Internships (AAPI) online application has been reviewed.
COVID-19 Note: As a mandatory public safety requirement, the BOP now requires all
staff, including Psychology Interns, to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of
employment. Proof of vaccination will be required at all BOP internship program sites. Your
completed CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card will meet this requirement. You may,
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